Voters go back to the polls Tuesday for primary runoffs
Party runoff ballots are fairly light for Tuesday’s election. In most races, the parties’ nominees were decided in the May primaries. But there are some critical races. At the top of the Republican ballot is perhaps the most-discussed race in the state this year, for nomination to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring. At the top of the Democratic ballot is nomination to the governor’s race. Candidates who won their party’s nominations for each office will face each other in the general election in November.
One important thing to know about the runoffs is that Alabama bans crossover voting. That means that if you voted in the Republican primary, for instance, you can vote only in the Republican runoff. You cannot vote in one party’s primary and the other party’s runoff. If you didn’t vote in the May 24 primary, though, you can vote in whichever runoff you choose.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 7 p.m. If you don’t know where you should go to vote, whether your voter registration is active or need other information about the election, check out the Voter FAQ in BirminghamWatch’s Runoff Voter Guide. Also in the Voter Guide are candidate profiles and printable sample ballots.
Democratic Primary Runoff Candidates
Republican Primary Runoff Candidates
Sample Ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties
Democratic Party Runoff Ballot, Jefferson County
Republican Party Runoff Ballot, Jefferson County
Bessemer data center developer to request rezoning for additional 900 acres
The city’s attorney informed council members of the request on Tuesday, warning that there may be media scrutiny.
Ivey releases proposed state budgets
Lawmakers are often running in Montgomery having finished the first week of this year's legislative session. It's a week that saw the announcement of Gov. Kay Ivey's budget proposal, along with the first bills starting to make their way through the legislative process. We talk about that with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
The 2026 Alabama legislative session begins Tuesday
State lawmakers will return to Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2026 legislative session. It's the final session for Gov. Kay Ivey. It also comes against the backdrop of statewide elections this fall. For a look ahead to what to expect this session we turn to Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Lest we forget: NPR’s public archive features video and court records related to the Jan. 6 attack
NPR’s Jan. 6 database is now the most comprehensive archive of its kind dedicated to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Tuberville files paperwork to enter Alabama governor’s race
Tuberville, who leveraged fame from his Auburn University football coaching days to win election to the U.S. Senate in 2020, announced last year that he planned to run for governor instead of seeking another Senate term.
Judge orders new trial for Alabama woman sentenced to 18 years in prison after stillbirth
Lee County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Tickal vacated Brooke Shoemaker’s 2020 conviction for chemical endangerment of a child resulting in death. Tickal said Shoemaker's attorneys presented credible new evidence that the infection caused the stillbirth.
